Pajarito Mountain, NM, Nearly Done with Snowmaking Upgrades

When the temperatures drop in New Mexico, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area will be ready for it. 

In the biggest infrastructure update in the resort’s 70-year history, Pajarito Mountain Ski Area is building a new water pipeline to the resort, greatly improving the resort’s snowmaking capacity. The multi-million-dollar project, titled Project Pajarito, delivers 2,700% more water to Pajarito’s 10-million-gallon water reservoir, which feeds into its snowmaking system. The new pipeline will help Pajarito make more snow when temperatures are optimal, allowing it to open more terrain earlier in the season.

“For many years, Pajarito has really run on hope and natural snow,” Pajarito Mountain Ski Area Marketing Director Christiana Hudson said in a KRQE News article. “We’ve had very little snowmaking because that retention pond at the top was at the mercy of runoff and our monsoon seasons.”

To build the pipeline, Pajarito established a relationship with Los Alamos County, forming the Jemez Mountain Fire Protection Project — a collaboration between the county and Pajarito. The partnership helped secure more than $7 million in state grant funding to build the pipeline from Los Alamos to Pajarito, as well as upgraded electric and fiber optic utilities along Camp May Road.

In addition to snowmaking, Pajarito and Los Alamos will use the pipeline to help with fire suppression. 

“This isn’t just about snow — it’s about sustainability and resilience,” Pajarito General Manager Jasen Bellomy said. “We’re investing in the future of skiing at Pajarito while helping to protect the Jemez region.”

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Before building the pipeline, Pajarito relied solely on runoff and rainwater collected in its 10-million-gallon snowmaking reservoir at the top of the mountain. Dry seasons left the resort struggling to make snow, leaving terrain unopened and bringing early closures. That happened to be the case just last year, with Pajarito closing its slopes earlier than it had hoped.

The new pipeline marks a historic shift for Pajarito, finally giving it a consistent water source for making snow. Now, the resort can use the water to build a stronger, more dependable early-season base, extend its late-season operations, open more terrain, and improve snow quality. The new source of water will be available from November 1 to March 15 each year.

According to Los Alamos County and KRQE News, the project should be able to start pumping water in the middle of November for snowmaking. Pajarito Mountain Ski Area currently has its opening date set for December 4 — much earlier than usual.

“We’re set to become the snowmaking capital of New Mexico,” Bellomy said. “This means earlier openings, more terrain, and a more reliable ski season for our local community and beyond.”

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In addition to the pipeline, Pajarito is also opening the 2026-27 season with an upgraded Aspen lift. The resort is replacing the bearings in the return bullwheel, making for a smoother ride.

With the new pipeline nearing completion, Pajarito will finally be able to have consistent snowmaking when winter temperatures arrive. Guests at the resort will enjoy better snow conditions, more early-season terrain, and even extended seasons if weather cooperates. After years of relying on natural snow and hope, Pajarito can finally fire up its snow guns, giving its guests the best possible experience on the mountain.